Language policy

Language policy concerns the use and standards for use of languages. Typically one discusses language policy in terms of governments and polities. One might also refer to language policies of agencies and organisations.

Language policy is one of several factors that may affect the environment for localisation.

Formal definitions

"Language policy is concerned with official efforts to affect the relative status and use of one or more languages. Language policies of one sort or another have featured in human history from the earliest times." (Historica Canada)

"Language Policy n.
1. What government does officially – through legislation, court decisions, executive action, or other means – to

2. Government regulation of its own language use, including steps to facilitate clear communication, train and recruit personnel, guarantee due process, foster political participation, and provide access to public services, proceedings, and documents." (James Crawford)

Associations concerned with language policy

• CLPP - Consortium for Language Policy and Planning - http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/plc/clpp/
• LPREN - Language Policy Research Network - http://www.cal.org/lpren/

See also

• Language planning?
• Localisation policy (aka local language computing policy)

References & links

• Crawford, James. James Crawford's Language Policy Web Site & Emporium, "Language Policy" http://www.languagepolicy.net/archives/langpol.htm
• Historica Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia, http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/language-policy/
• Leclerc, Jacques. L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde, "Afrique et océan Indien," http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/afracc.htm
• Wikipedia
  • EN "Language policy" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_policy
  • FR "Politique linguistique" https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politique_linguistique
  • PT "Política linguística" https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol%C3%ADtica_lingu%C3%ADstica

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